Chapter 1 Study Guide
Introduction
Terminology
Select up to five terms from this chapter to review. After you record each
term, write its definition in your own words.
Biomorphic: Looks like nature.
Bio-inspired design: Design inspired by how nature works
Bioutilization: Using nature.
Idea: A mental concept.
Inspiration: Being mentally stimulated to feel or do something creative.
Main Points
Describe three main points or claims from this chapter.
The natural world is full of creativity relevant to the practice of engineering.
Engineers look to the natural world for ideas.
Many technologies we rely upon every day are bioinspired.
Questions and Ideas
Identify three questions or ideas you had while reading.
How is artificial intelligence a bioinspired innovation?
Is very human creation bioinspired?
How does a hummingbird's backward flight influence our field of aeronautics?
Quiz Preparation
Write two quiz questions based on this chapter's material.
What is the difference between the terms biomorphic and bioinspired?
Why do engineers look to the natural world for ideas?
Notes
Use this space to record any other notes, comments, or questions you have
about the chapter.
I'd like to further understand how the hummingbird's backward flight has helped
engineers in the creation and improvement of planes.
Chapter 1 Summary
Biomimicry is a new science that studies nature’s models and then imitates or
takes inspiration from these designs and processes to solve human problems. An
example of this is a solar cell inspired by the mechanisms of a leaf. This new
field of biomimicry uses an ecological standard to judge the “rightness” of our
innovations. Through 3.8 billion years of evolution, nature has learned: What
lasts, what works, and what is appropriate. Biomimicry is also a new way of
viewing and valuing nature. It is not about what we can extract from the natural
world, but what we can learn from it.
Before being in this class, I had not heard the term biomimicry before. Now that
I’ve learned about it, many things make sense. I’ve always wondered where
humans have gotten their ideas from throughout history. Nature has always been
fascinating to me, and as a future engineer, it’s important to me that I create or
improve technologies whilst preserving nature. In other words, I’m fascinated
by Biomimicry and more importantly grateful that I get to learn about this
discipline and that it’s being instilled in aspiring engineers early on in programs
throughout the country.
Biomimicry is about what we can learn from nature rather than what we can
extract from it, which is what we’ve resorted to since the dawn of time. But as
abundant as nature is, its resources won’t last forever especially not if we’re
overusing and wasting them. This is what I liked about the field and the way the
chapter presents it. Scientists and engineers must find ways to not only become
inspired by nature but also preserve it. Not just so we can continue extracting
the necessary resources that help us thrive, but so that we don’t kill it.